eagles when they ate the fish. DDT made

eagles’ eggshells so soft that female eagles

crushed the eggs while incubating

them, dooming their offspring

before they could hatch.

DDT is banned today, and the

government is working to protect

eagle habitats so the birds can nest and

hatch young.

Today bald eagles are protected under

the federal Endangered Species Act. This

legislation makes it illegal to harm eagles

in any way and provides other protective

measures. Because the human

population of the U.S. is

much larger than in the

past, it is of great,

importance that we

protect the eagles’

habitat from interference by people.

How does the bald eagle live? Eagles require an enormous amount

of space to exist. They use this territory to forage and nest. Eagles prefer very

tall old-growth and mature second-growth coniferous trees and snags for

perching and nesting. These tall trees in the interior of the forest allow eagles

to watch for prey easily, giving them a clear view from the trees’ stout

branches high above the ground. In western Washington bald eagles

usually prefer Douglas fir, whereas in eastern Washington they often choose

ponderosa pine. Most of the trees they use as perches .and nests are along

shorelines so they readily can find fish. Shoreline property also is in great

demand by humans for development.

Bald eagles mate for life and usually construct more than one nest,

or aerie, in a territory. They use their nests over and over throughout their

lives. A nest is usually near the top of a tree and is very large, often 5 feet

in diameter. Eagle pairs are very sensitive to human activity near their aerie.

The presence of people could provoke the female eagle to leave her nest and

eggs unattended.

Just as bald eagles keep the same nests year after year, they also return

to the same roosting sites in coniferous trees. Eagles often roost in large groups

during the night arid sometimes during the day, especially in bad weather. The

trees give eagles protection from the elements as they roost.